Coupling device



1970 w. F. HENNESSEY, JR 3,533,485

COUPL ING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 19s? IIIIIIIII I.

25 3? 36 59 24 INVENTOR WALTER F. HENNE SSEY,Jr.

BYgmww ATTORNEYS 3,538,485 COUPLING DEVICE Walter F. Hennessey, .lr.,Sidney, N.Y., assignor to The Bendix Corporation, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Aug. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 664,172 Int. Cl. Htllr 13/62,23/00 US. Cl. 33945 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This inventionrelates in general to Coupling devices and is particularly directed toquick action coupling nut type disconnect means for disengagingconnected members such as conduits, mating electrical connector partsand the like.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a noveltwist-to-lock, pull-to-unlock type of coupling device.

It is a further object to provide a novel separable coupling device forcoupling conduit members of the pin and socket type electricalconnectors which is of simple, rugged and compact construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separable electricalcoupling device of such construction that the two main connectorportions may be easily and quickly disengaged regardless of theirrelative angular position with respect to the mechanical coupling meansassociated therewith.

A still further object is to provide a separable twist-lock typeelectrical connector which is easily and quickly disengageableregardless of the twist or look position of the coupling nut on theconnected parts.

Another object is to provide a novel coupling device for connecting apair of members and which permits rapid disengagement of said membersupon the application thereto of opposed axial forces in the process ofpulling said members apart.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following detailed description when the sameis read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and do not constitute a limitation of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a View in longitudinal axial section, taken on line 11 of FIG.2, of an assembled electrical connector embodying the coupling devicecontemplated by the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in end elevation of the right-hand separable part ofthe assembled connector of FIG. 1, the view being taken on line 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectionalized view, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 wherein the coupling nut is inreleasing position;

FIG. 5 is aplan view on an enlarged scale of the United States Patent 03,538,485 Patented Nov. 3, 1970 internal surface of one of the helicallygrooved segments of the coupling nut;

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view, taken on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a development showing the internal surfaces of the segmentedcoupling nut in a single plane on a reduced scale; and

FIG. 8 is a development of a portion of the outer surface of sleeve 12on a reduced scale.

The single embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing is, byway of example, shown in the form .of a plug and socket type electricalconnector comprising two mateable parts or assemblies 2 and 3. Theseassemblies are adapted to be releasably coupled in mating condition forquick and easy simultaneous uncoupling and disengaging by the novelcoupling device of the invention.

The connector assembly or part 2 is shown as com prising a tubular shell4, an insulating contact supporting insert 5 mounted in the shell, and aplurality of socket contacts 6 supported by the insert. For a purpose tomore fully appear hereinafter, shell 4 has three equally spaced couplingpins or lugs 7 projecting radially therefrom, only one of said pinsbeing shown.

The connector part or assembly 3 shown mated with assembly 2 in FIG. 1comprises a tubular shell 8 which telescopes with shell 4 and has aplurality of axially extending keys 9 on the periphery thereof. Thesekeys mate with keyways in shell 4 to angularly orient the assemblies andprevent relative rotation thereof. An insulating insert 10 supports aplurality of pin contacts 11 in shell 8 for mating with socket contacts6.

Novel means are provided for mechanically releasably coupling connectorassemblies 2 and 3 together in mated relation in a novel manner whichpermits quick, simultaneous release of the coupling means anddisengagement of the connector assemblies. Said coupling means isnovelly associated with shell 8 and forms a novel assembly therewith. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the coupling comprises an inner sleeve 12,the forward end of which surrounds a rear portion of shell 8 and has aninternal groove 14 in which is mounted an annular wavy compressionspring 15. Alternate lobes of the spring engage the rear wall 16 of saidgroove, and the other lobes thereof engage concentric telescopingflanges 17 and 18 on shell 8 and sleeve 12, respectively. Sleeve 12 isfree to rotate about shell 8, and axial movement of sleeve 12 to theright or rearwardly relative to shell 8 is limited by a split washer 19seated in an annular groove on the shell and engageable with an externalshoulder 20 on the sleeve. Shell 8 is permitted limited axial movementto the right or rearwardly relative to sleeve 12 against the compressionof spring 15 for a purpose to hereinafter appear.

An outer 'sleeve 21 surrounds inner sleeve 12 and is connected theretofor rotation therewith and limited axial movement relative thereto byany suitable means, such as an inwardly projecting tab or key 22 (FIG.6) on sleeve 21 and a mating groove or keyway 23 in the periphery ofinner sleeve 12.

Said inner and outer sleeves have abutting shoulders 24 and 25 whichlimit relative axial movement thereof in one direction, and suchmovement in the opposite direction is yieldably opposed by a pluralityof coil compression springs 26 and is limited by said springs and a sphtwasher 27 seated in a groove 28 in the outer surface of sleeve 12. Sixsprings 26 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, each mounted in acylindrical cavity 29 formed by registering opposed semicircular slots30 and 31 in the inner surface of outer sleeve 21 and the outer surfaceof inner sleeve 12, respectively. At one end thereof springs 26 engagethe forward ends of grooves 30 and 31, and at the other end said springsengage stop washer 27 or a cupped washer 32 associated therewith. Anysuitable means, such as a lanyard 33, may be secured to outer sleeve 21for pulling the latter rearwardly relative to inner sleeve 12 and hence,relative to connector assembly 3 against the pressure of springs 26.

Captured between sleeves 12 and 21, Without physical attachment toeither sleeve, are a plurality of arcuate segments 34 which collectivelyand in conjunction with sleeves 12 and 21 form a segmented coupling ringor nut. In the form shown, said segments form a so-called bayonet-typenut having three internal helical grooves 35 for engagement withcoupling pins 7 of shell 4. Segments 34 also have transverse grooves onthe inner faces thereof which collectively form an annular internalgroove 36 that receives an external rib or flange 37 on sleeve 12. Themating surfaces 38 of groove 36 and rib 37 are preferably slightlytapered or inclined, as shown, to facilitate proper action of thesegments during the unlocking procedure to be described below. Althoughnot essential, segments 34 may be yieldably held against sleeve 12 by aspring or elastic band 39 seated in a groove in the outer surface ofsegments 34. Circumferential movement of the segments relative to sleeve12 is prevented by tongues 40 integral with the segments and extendingaxially into grooves 41 in the outer surface of sleeve 12. When segments34 are in operative position (FIG. 1), tongues 40 lie against thesurface of sleeve 12 within grooves 41, and the radial thickness thereofis small in comparison to the depths of the grooves so as to permit thesegments to tilt or pivot relative to the axis and, hence, to theuncoupling position shown in FIG. 4.

The external peripheries of segments 34 forward of groove 36 form anexternal groove 42 flanked by external ribs 43 and 44. With the parts inoperative position (FIGS. 1 and 2) rib 43 fits closely within aninternal flange 45 at the forward end of outer sleeve 21, and a portionof the rib 44 fits closely within an inner surface of sleeve 21. Thelatter has an internal groove 46 for receiving rib 44 and thus to permitmovement of the segments 34 to releasing or uncoupling position (FIG. 4)when outer sleeve 21 is pulled to the right or rearwardly relative tosleeve 12 and connector assemblies 2 and 3.

When it is desired to electrically engage and mechanically couple theconnector parts 2 and 3, the elements of the coupling nut assembly willbe held by springs 26 in the positions shown in FIG. 3. The keyways ofshell 4 are first oriented with the keys 9 on shell 8, and the open endsof helical grooves 35 of the coupling nut assembly are oriented withpins 7 on shell 4. The assemblies are now moved together axially untilpins 7 enter grooves 35. The coupling nut assembly comprising sleeves 12and 21 and segmented ring 34 is now rotated relative to shells 4 and 8to effect a bayonet-type coupling. The assemblies 2 and 3 are drawnaxially together by the cooperating pins 7 and helical grooves 35 duringrotation of the coupling nut. The parts are preferably so designed thatthe inserts and come into facial engagement just prior to the finalaxial movement of the coupling nut onto shell 4. During this finalmovement, the coupling nut assembly will also move axially relative toassembly 3 against the resistance of spring whereby to effect a pressureseal between the engaging faces of the inserts 5 and 10. If desired,spring 15 may be eliminated and the parts so constructed that sleeve 12and shell 8 move axially substantially as a unit.

To uncouple conduits or shells 4 and 8 and elfect electricaldisengagement of pin and socket contacts 6 and 11 it is necessary onlyto pull toward the right (FIG. 1) on lanyard 33, assuming assembly 2 issuitably anchored or held. Thus, pulling on lanyard 33 will move sleeve21 toward the right relative to the remainder of the assembled device,compressing springs 26 as in FIG. 4. It will be evident that the forceapplied to springs 26 is transmitted through ring 27 to sleeve 12 andthence through flange 37 to segments 34, the grooves 35 of which engagelugs 7 on shell 4. Sleeve 12 and segments 34 are thus prevented frommoving with sleeve 21 until the latter has been moved a sufiicientdistance to bring annular groove 46 into registry with flange 44 andgroove 42 into registry with flange 45 as in FIG. 4. Such registrypermits the six segments 34 to move radially and to pivot about tabs 40a suflicient amount to release lugs 7 from grooves 35 so that the entireassembly comprising sleeves 21 and 12, segments 34 and pin contactassembly 3 will move relative to socket contact assembly 2 and effectdisengagement of assemblies 2 and 3. The radial and pivotal movement ofsegments 34 are effected by components of force which result from theaxial pulling force applied at the beveled surfaces 38 and at theengaging surfaces of lugs 7 and the radial, helical walls of grooves 35.In view of the fact that segments 34 make up the entire circumference ofthe nut, release or uncoupling may be effected by an axial pull onsleeve 21 irrespective of the position of lugs 7 in helical grooves 35.It will, of course, be apparent that uncoupling may also be effected byreverse rotation of the nut assembly 12, 21, 34 followed by axialseparation and disengagement after lugs 7 emerge from helical slots 35.After uncoupling, the springs 26 will move the parts of the nut assemblyto the positions illustrated in FIG. 3 ready for the next couplingoperation.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustratedin the drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is tobe expressly understood that the same is not thus limited, but thatvarious changes may be made, such as in the design and arrangement ofparts thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, the pin and slot type bayonet connection 7, 35may be replaced by mating threads on shell 4 and segments 34.

What is claimed is:

1. A quick-release coupling device comprising first and second tubularshells, and a coupling means assembly cooperable with said shellsreleasably locking the same together, said coupling means assemblycomprising an inner sleeve mounted on said first shell for axialmovement therewith and rotation relative thereto, an outer sleevemounted on said inner sleeve for rotation therewith and axial movementrelative thereto, an intermediate sleeve surrounding said inner sleevewithin said outer sleeve and consisting of a plurality of arcuatesegments circumferentially arranged, said intermediate and inner sleeveshaving cooperable inter-fitting portions preventing appreciable relativeaxial and rotational movement thereof while permittting said segments tomove radially relative to said inner sleeve, and said intermediate andouter sleeves having cooperable surfaces hereby when said outer sleeveis in a predetermined first axial position said segments are retainedthereby in closely assembled relation around said inner sleeve and whensaid outer sleeve is in a predetermined second axial position saidsegments are released thereby for limited radial movement, andcooperating means on said intermediate sleeve and said second shell tooperatively connect the same against axial separation when said outersleeve is in said first axial position and to release the same for axialseparation when said outer sleeve is moved to said second axial positionand said segments move radially outward, said cooperating meanscomprising at least one internal helical groove in said intermediatesleeve and at least one radial lug on the second shell engageable withthe helical groove.

2. A coupling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said helical groovespans at least two consecutive segments.

3. A coupling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device is anelectrical connector having cooperable pin and socket contacts mountedin said shells, and wherein the contacts are in mating relationship whensaid shells are locked together.

4. A coupling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner sleeve isaxially movable on said first shell between predetermined limits andcomprising resilient means yieldably urging said inner sleeve toward oneof its limiting positions on said first shell.

5. A coupling device as defined in claim 1 comprising means on saidinner and outer sleeves to limit axial movement of said outer sleeverelative to said inner sleeve between said first and second axialpositions, and resilient means interposed between said inner and outersleeves and yieldably urging said outer sleeve to said first axialposition on said inner sleeve.

6. A coupling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said interfittingportions include an annular rib on said inner sleeve and a matchinggroove in the intermediate sleeve to hold the same against relativeaxial movement.

7. A coupling device as defined in claim 6 wherein two engaging surfacesof said rib and groove are bevelled to facilitate radial movement ofsaid segments in response to an axial force urging said bevelledsurfaces together.

8. A releasable coupling device for connecting conduit memberscomprising a pair of concentric interlocking sleeves axiallydisplaceable with respect to each other and arranged to be carried byone of said conduit members, expandable coupling nut means including aplurality of rigid circularly arranged arcuate segmental elements whichwhen in their inner, closed positions are in substantial edgeengagement, interposed between said sleeves and carried thereby anddisposed to radially expand upon relative axial displacement of saidsleeves, and means carried by said other conduit member for engagingsaid coupling nut means to couple the said conduit members, saidcoupling nut means being disengageable from said other conduit memberupon radial expansion thereof to permit axial separation of said conduitmember.

9. A releasable coupling device as defined in claim 8 comprisingresilient restorative means interposed between said axially displaceableconcentric sleeves for restoring said sleeves axially in oppositedirections to their normal positions relative to said coupling nutmeans.

10. A releasable coupling device as defined in claim 9 wherein saidresilient restorative means includes coil springs circumferentiallyarranged between and around the axis of said sleeves.

11. A releasable coupling device as defined in claim 8 wherein saidsegmental elements include helically oriented grooves along at least onesurface thereof.

12. A device for coupling first and second conduits comprising a firstsleeve mounted on the first conduit, a second sleeve mounted on saidfirst sleeve and consisting of a plurality of arcuate segmentscircumferentially arranged, said second sleeve and said second conduithaving interfitting means to hold the same against relative axialmovement, a third sleeve surrounding said first and second sleeves andmovable axially thereof between a first position to hold said segmentsclosely assembled about said first sleeve and a second position torelease said segments for limited radial movement relative to said firstsleeve, and radially outwardly projecting lugs on the second conduit,said segmental second sleeve being internally helically slotted toengage said lugs on the second conduit to couple said conduits when saidthird sleeve is in said first position and to release the same for axialseparation when said third sleeve is in said second position.

13. A device as defined in claim 12 comprising resilient means fornormally retaining said third sleeve in said first position.

14. A device a defined in claim 13 wherein said resilient meanscomprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced coil springs.

15. A device as defined in claim 12 comprising coperating means on saidfirst sleeve and said first conduit for limiting relative axial movementthereof, and resilient means for resisting such relative movement ofsaid first sleeve and first conduit in one direction.

16. An electrical connector comprising first and second tubular shells,cooperable pin and socket contacts mounted in said shells, and acoupling means assembly cooperable with said shells releasably lockingthe same together with said contacts in mating relationship, saidcoupling means assembly comprising an inner sleeve mounted on said firstshell for axial movement therewith and rotation relative thereto, anouter sleeve mounted on said inner sleeve for rotation therewith andaxial movement relative thereto, means on said inner and outer sleevesto limit axial movement of said outer sleeve relative to said innersleeve between first and second axial positions, resilient meansinterposed between said inner and outer sleeves and yieldably urgingsaid outer sleeve to said first axial position on said inner sleeve,said resilient means comprising a plurality of coil springscircumferentially arranged between said inner and outer sleeves incavities each formed by oppositely facing semicylindrical grooves insaid sleeves, an intermediate sleeve surrounding said inner sleevewithin said outer sleeve and consisting of a plurality of arcuatesegments circumferentially arranged, said intermediate and inner sleeveshaving cooperable inter-fitting portions preventing appreciable relativeaxial and rotational movement thereof While permitting said segments tomove radially relative to said inner sleeve, and said intermediate andouter sleeves having cooperable surfaces whereby when said outer sleeveis in said first axial position said segments are retained thereby inclosely assembled relation around said inner sleeve and when said outersleeve is in said second axial position said segments are releasedthereby for limited radial movement, and cooperating means on saidintermediate sleeve and said second shell to operatively connect thesame against axial separation when said outer sleeve is in said firstaxial position and to release the same for axial separation when saidouter sleeve is moved to said second axial position and said segmentsmove radially outward.

17. An electrical connector comprising first and second tubular shells,cooperable pin and socket contacts mounted in said shells, and acoupling means assembly cooperable with said shells releasably lockingthe same together with said contacts in mating relationship, saidcoupling means assembly comprising an inner sleeve mounted on said firstshell for axial movement therewith and rotation relative thereto, anouter sleeve mounted on said inner sleeve for rotation therewith anaxial movement relative thereto, an intermediate sleeve surrounding saidinner sleeve within said outer sleeve and consisting of a plurality ofarcuate segments circumferentially arranged, said intermediate and innersleeves having cooperable interfitting portions preventing appreciablerelative axial and rotational movement thereof while permitting saidsegments to move radially relative to said inner sleeve, saidinterfitting portions including axial projections on said segmentsextending into axially extending slots in the surface of said innersleeve to hold the latter and said segments against relative rotation,and said intermediate and outer sleeves having cooperable surfaceswhereby when said outer sleeve is in a predetermined first axialposition on said inner sleeve said segments are retained thereby inclosely assembled relation around said inner sleeve and when said outersleeve is in a predetermined second axial position on the inner sleevesaid segments are released thereby for limited radial movement, andcooperating means on said intermediate sleeve and said second shell tooperatively connect the same against axial separation when said outersleeve is in said first axial position and to release the same for axialseparation when said outer sleeve is moved to said second axial positionand said segments move radially outward.

18. A quick-release coupling device for interconnecting shell memberscomprising a pair of axially aligned inner and outer sleeves connectedto one of said shell members, said sleeves having interfitting keyingmeans thereon to prevent relative roational movement thereof while per-7 mitting relative axial displacement, circumferentiallyspaced radiallyaligned recesses along the outer and inner peripheries, respectively, ofsaid sleeves, compressive coil spring members in said recesses,retention means disposed between said sleeves for retaining saidcompressive coil spring members when under compression, segmented elemental means comprising a plurality of arcuate segments disposed aboutthe outer and inner peripheries, respectively, of said sleeves in acircular array and carried thereby, each said segment having a helicalgroove along a surface thereof, compressive means interposed betweensaid sleeves for retaining said segments in their circular array whilepermitting radial movement thereof in response to the relative axialdisplacement of said sleeves in opposition to the compressive forcesexerted by said coil spring members upon separation of said shellmembers, and means connected to the other shell member having protrudingmembers circumferentially spaced for engaging said helical grooves ofsaid segments in twistlock fashion for connecting the shell members, thelatter being disposed to become rapidly disengaged upon said axialrelative displacement of said sleeves, such disengagemeat beingresponsive to a continued application of the force which effects saidaxial displacement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,951,713 9/1960 Hoffstrom285-322 XR 2,984,811 5/1961 Hennessey et al. 33945 3,097,867 7/1963Saldum 285-86 3,100,655 8/1963 Work 285-316 XR 3,202,956 8/ 1965Hennessey 339-90 3,322,923 5/1967 Brush 339-45 XR 3,336,562 8/1967McCormick et al. 3,452,316 6/1969 Panel: et a1.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,221,079 1/ 1960 France.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner 20 P. A. CLIFFORD Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R. 339--91; 285-316

